Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-11-16

The Navy.

The Navy.
The miserably inefficient condition
q our navy is nothing less than a
National disgrace. Young. though
~ are, a. . Nation, our armies and
navy have won many memorable
victories over all belligerents with
whom the two branches Of the SER
vice have been brought face to face.
In the vast number of really renowned
thus won by the
National arms, the land forces can
point to none 80 distinguished that
they are at all in danger of eclipsing
tho brilliancy Of those enrolled on the
pages which chronicle the great
deeds of tho American Navy.
Indeed, if any invidious comparison
il to be drawn, it would not be our
gallant Tars whs would rise up and
protest against such an act-at least
not from any fear of the contrast dim
ming their glory. The only feature
which threatens in the least the hith-
srto untarnished fame of the brave
boys and great captains who have so
chivalrously floated the National col
ors in the winds ON every sea, and do
ing 10 have made the name of their
country honored in all respects, is the
present ineffably delapidated state OF
this arm OF our warlike service.
Should this country become involved
In . war-not with any of the great
Powers of the world, but with some
petty Nation on the mere edge of civ
ilization-the result would be most
disastrous. Chile or Japan could lay
In ashes every seaport city of the
Union on the Pacific. Any of the Eu-
ropean maratime powers could devas-
tate the Atlantic seaports. Thus there
II not only the fair fame and
honor Of the Nation in jeopardy as
things are now, but there are untold
millions worth Of property which in
the event of war would be at the
msrcy Of the foe.
For the first time since the close of
the war the Federal Government has
addressed itself to the task of rehab-
ilitating the navy, and is making
An honest, earnest and intelligent
effort to recreate the naval arm of the
service to such an extent
that there would be some
ground Of hope, that should
. conflict be precipitated with any
civilized power, the United States
might carry tho National flag with
some little modicum of the old-time
prestige on the high seas. This is a
eonsummation most devoutly to be
wished.
In this connection the report of
Commodore Wilson and his recon-
as to the navy, which will
be found in the telegraphic news from
HE East this morning, cannot
lail to attract wide atten
lion. Its hopeful and reassuring
.oue is very far from being its least
significant feature. The officer calls
Tor . couple of good ships to replace
he old jamestown and Portsmouth
In the training service. This is en-
phatic in its timely wisdom. We
must confess to feeling less enthusiasm
BY An immeasureably large distance
- to spending even $3.50 to
preserve the time-worn and USE
lees hulk of the Hartford. If she is
of no avail for more useful purpose
than to serve as a memento OF the
past, haul her ashore, cover her with
canvas and so let her rest. Then
comes what seems most wise bit of
advice to the effect that the Monitors |
b reftted. Vessels of this class did |
most efficient service during the civil |
war, signalling in the highest degree
The inventive genius Of American me-
chanics and engineers. The Commo-
dore il of the opinion that a bagatelle |
outlay Of $4,000 on these crafts
would give the Nation thirteen vessels
for coast defenses. To be
vure this contemplates the use of fif-
smooth-bore guns. They
vould be of little effect against the
Issvy plate-amor ships of modern
vsrfsrs with their rifle guns of such
rsmsndous power. As the naval Off
III truly remarks, their guns could be
,placed by rife-bore pieces as rapidly
J the National ordnance shops will
ermit.
Commodore Wilson closes with the
uuranoe that when the ships now
ling constructed shall have been all
'npisted cur navy will be in a quite
'sssa4ahie shape, and we'll adapted
~ aseds of the service. Il Is